About Me

I have been drinking and tasting wine over 35 years now. I will add notes of wines I am drinking today and add some memories of years gone by. I was born in England and moved to Germany in 1975 where I discovered WINE. I started to drink German Spätburgunder about 5 years ago and have never looked back. My tastes are unlimited..across the Universe..so much good stuff around nowadays compared to when I first started out on this liquid journey! Marking is the 20 Points system.

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Vinious Payment

Back from holiday I found that my assistant had caught a virus...it seems half of Germany has it...so straight back into the business with hardly any time to breath.I needed rewarding to keep me above water. The vinious reward is always readily accepted.Sparse notes for most of the wines tasted...but then again...straight to the point is sometimes better than driving round the houses!!!

Malat Grüne Veltliner Das Beste Reserve 2010Kremstal, AustriaDrank over three days...giving it a chance to show itself...top to bottom.Tobacco traces....quite full on the palate...but fine acidity structure keeps it lively...yellow apples...will buy another bottle of this.Points 17.5While drinking this on day one...I was watching the German version of 'Come Dine With Me' and an Austrian contestant was adding a Malat red to a dish he was cooking...what a coincidence!

Buchegger Grüner Veltliner Reserve 2011Kremstal, AustriaWell-priced at € 20,-- and offers a lot for the money. It is made from a selection of the oldest vines. Full...with loads of baby fat...but remarkably drinkable now.Points 17.25

In between all the work...I popped off to our Bistro.Fresh Octopus Grilled...with plenty of herbs and spices followed by Wild Boar Medallions and Ravioli. As the chef is Moroccan you know that there is plenty to deal with regarding spices in most dishes...which I find adapts very well to mature Pinot Noir.

A bottle of a 2007 lounging in my cellar.Meßmer Schlossgarten Spätburgunder 2007Pfalz, GermanyThe vintage is showing well now...lost it's 'vintage' fat and shows a delicate soft earthiness...with the gentle cherry fruit and a lingering finish. It coped admirably with both courses and earned it'sPoints 17.5

Back to Austria...which is no pain for me.

Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Ried Lamm 2008Kamptal, AustriaThis was still available...but now is gone...did I buy the last bottle?Tobacco again...fresh desert island fruits...zipped up with tasty minerals and a creamy finish.Points 17.25

Heard quite a bit about the next property...but only the 2007 to be found...

Panta Rhei Chardonnay 2007Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, AustriaThere is also some Morillon in the mix..oak to the fore...nutty...but for my liking a touch too much age.Points 16.75

Knoll Grüner Veltliner Smaragd 2010Wachau, AustriaHoney...ripe apples...and surprisingly light for a Knoll...they do tend to be an acquired taste...and with the zippy acidity this is very attractive nowPoints 17.25

BOOK-ENDS...a Sherry and a Port....we drink too little we are told:

The La Gitana Manzanilla I leave open in the fridge for at least a week before drinking it. Strange...as the style says you should drink it fresh. Maybe that is the case in Sanlucar near Jerez....happy memories...tapas and Manzanilla...but maybe the versions I had been drinking had been opened a few days.

Vintage Port is a 'Special Occasion' wine...but the Portuguese drink plenty of Tawny Port...this Warre 10 Year old Tawny won a prize at the Decanter Wine Awards...and is soft and easy...but plenty of backbone to cope with any cheeses you might want to try.